In this episode of The Talent Show, Virginia Stagni welcomes Jon Slade, the Chief Commercial Officer of Financial Times, who shares an intriguing journey that defies the conventional career path. Despite not boasting an illustrious academic career, Slade's story is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. His early years were spent in landscape gardening, a pursuit he found deeply satisfying, illustrating that success can be found in the most unexpected of places. Relocating to London marked a turning point in Slade's career. His love for words and language led him to work on a student union magazine at university, a stepping stone that would eventually lead him to the world of journalism. Slade's career took off when he responded to an advertisement in the Media Guardian, landing him a role in advertising sales. This experience sparked his interest in publishing, leading him to the Financial Times in 2002. Despite a brief stint at The Times and The Sunday Times, Slade returned to the FT in 2007, where he has remained ever since. Slade's journey is marked by his ability to create value from journalism, a common thread that has run through his career. From his early days selling advertising space to his current role as Chief Commercial Officer, Slade has consistently worked towards leveraging the influence of journalism for commercial success. Join us as we explore Slade's unconventional journey, offering insights into the world of journalism and the importance of following one's passion. This episode promises to inspire, challenge, and provoke thought, embodying the spirit of the Financial Times. Looking for a new guide to drive innovation and change? The Talent Show is a new podcast series from FT Talent, a hub of innovation from the Financial Times. Hosted by under 30s for under 30s around the world. Each episode we have important conversations for you and with you. We speak to experts in different fields, and bring you in to ask them your burning questions and delve deep into the topics that really matter to the younger generation today, find inspiring tips, analyse trends and bridge generational gaps. And we didn't just rely on our own curiosity - we invite our audience of bright students and early career professionals from all over the world to ask questions directly to our guests. The FT Talent Challenge is a competition from the Financial Times that invites bright young talent from all over the world to pitch solutions aimed at solving our most pressing business challenges. This podcast gives you a taste of the creative, educational and entrepreneurial atmosphere at FT Talent Challenges. FT Talent is a commercial division of the Financial Times. The FT Newsroom is not involved in its production. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Subscribe to our YouTube channel: http://bit.ly/3X1kwkk Visit our website: http://bit.ly/3wUut8J Follow us on social media: Instagram: http://bit.ly/3X1N65f LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/3E6k9yv Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.